A survey conducted by Teletrac Navman, a global provider of connected mobility solutions, has found that 70% of fleet operators report incidents stemming from distracted driving.
Mobile phone use was identified by 68% of respondents as the primary distraction, underscoring its impact on road safety and fleet operations.
Distracted driving is a significant issue for companies relying on vehicle fleets, leading to operational and financial challenges.
Nearly half of survey participants (49%) indicated that these incidents incurred direct costs, while 40% experienced interruptions to operations. Additionally, 28% reported safety and compliance violations, and 25% faced reputational damage.
The New Zealand Ministry of Transport figures for 2022 showed that truck-involved crashes resulted in 62 fatalities, 208 serious injuries, and 727 minor injuries.
Alain Samaha, CEO of Teletrac Navman, said the survey results highlight the critical need for measures to reduce distracted driving.
“Safety and distracted driving jeopardise the lives of drivers and the general public but also pose significant commercial risks. These risks can lead to increased insurance premiums and various direct costs associated with safety incidents, underscoring the critical importance of prioritising safe driving practices within the industry,” he said.
The report showed that fleet operators are turning to a combination of technology and training to combat distracted driving.
About 78% of the respondents said they use advanced telematics systems such as forward-facing cameras, driver-facing dash cams, and digital coaching tools to monitor and improve driving behaviours.
The respondents also highlighted the importance of pairing technology with coaching programs. Approximately 80% of those using in-cab cameras noted improvements in safety outcomes.
Additionally, 73% of fleet managers reported that deploying multiple complementary safety solutions helped to mitigate risks effectively.
In related research by insurer AMI and Ipsos, 55% of New Zealand drivers admitted to being distracted on the road, and 21% said they had driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Mobile phones were reported as a distraction by 30% of drivers, with 68% considering them the most difficult distraction to manage.
Wayne Tippet, executive general manager of claims at AMI, stressed the importance of addressing these behaviours ahead of increased holiday travel.
